Eye on O.C.: Keeping it close to home

Sandra Brown, gala chairwoman for the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser "Black & White and Orange All Over" and Lisa Blanc, president of Community Foundation of Orange, from left, at the event which benefited local community programs for high school athletes, seniors, children, families and others.CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

Their motto is "Give where you live," and guests at Black, White & Orange All Over, the annual fundraiser for the Community Foundation of Orange, showed they believed in the slogan. "The more money we raise, the more needs we can meet," said Lisa Blanc of Orange, president of CFO. "It's local, it's fun, it's not your regular gala. It's become the event to be at, one people like the most," Blanc said.

Local heavy hitters made the scene, with mayors pro tem and council members from almost every surrounding city in attendance, including Don Wagner, State Assemblyman for the 68th district, and Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer. "Carolyn is one of the most effective, charismatic and gracious leaders in all of the Orange County communities," Spitzer said of CarolynCavecche, the CFO 2013 honoree for the night and former mayor of Orange.

Bill Steiner, CFO Chairman of the Board, spoke highly of Cavecche. "Our honoree has made a great contribution to the city and community in a lot of capacities." Cavecche praised her hosts. "It's a very humbling experience," she said. "The CFO is just an outstanding organization. Orange has a strong sense of family, and they enhance that and improve our community."

The dinner, silent and live auctions and sale of buttons for the "heads or tails" game netted about $62,000 for CFO, which serves the children and families of the city through programs such as the yearly Foundation Games Youth Track & Field Championships, scholarships for art, music and theater programs for 3rd-6th graders, and the Community Scholarship for Santiago Canyon College.

"What I like most about the job is getting to see the great things going on," Wagner said. "It's not what we do in Sacramento that makes this a great place to live, it's what the people do in the communities."

Sandra Brown, gala chairwoman for the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser "Black & White and Orange All Over" and Lisa Blanc, president of Community Foundation of Orange, from left, at the event which benefited local community programs for high school athletes, seniors, children, families and others. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Don and Megan Wagner pose for a photo at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. Don is a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 68th district. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Doug Willits was on hand to promote the 2013 Foundation Games to be held in April at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
The decor at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, featured a display from the former Smith's Nut House. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
The decor at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, featured a display of citrus fruits from Sunkist. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Tita Smith, Mayor of the city of Orange and Mark Murphy at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Todd Spitzer, member of the Board of Supervisors and Gail Eastman, Mayor pro-tem of Anaheim pose for a photo at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Three members of the band Five Got Rhythm entertain guests at the reception for the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Tita Smith, Mayor of the city of Orange, gets a hug from Sandra Brown, left, gala chairwoman for the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Todd Spitzer, member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and Gail Eastman, Mayor Pro-tem of Anaheim pose for a photo at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Honoree Carolyn Cavecche poses for a photo with husband Rick Cavecche at the Community Foundation of Orange's Gala fundraiser, Black & White and Orange All Over, at Chapman University. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

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